Cultural diversity
Religion
About this topic
Religion records a person's stated religious affiliation, including no religion and not stated responses. It is a measure of cultural identity and belief rather than practice or participation.
This topic helps show the religious diversity of an area and can support planning for community facilities, faith-based services, and inclusive engagement. It is best interpreted with ancestry, birthplace, and language, which together provide a broader picture of cultural composition.
Interpretation notes
- This records stated religious affiliation, not attendance or level of religious practice.
- No religion and not stated are part of the overall picture, so interpretation should consider both affiliation and non-response.
Key insight
In 2021, No religion was the most common religious affiliation among residents in Mawson Lakes, accounting for 36% (4,970 people). This share was lower than Salisbury (C) (37.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in No religion, which increased by 584 people and 3 percentage points.
Section overview
Religion - Ranked by size
Mawson Lakes - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises religion for Mawson Lakes in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Salisbury (C) and change since 2016.
Religion - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mawson Lakes, with comparison markers for Salisbury (C).
No Religion, so described
2021 count
4,970
% of total
36.0%
Change from 2016
+3.0pp
4,970
36.0%
+3.0pp
Western Catholic
2021 count
2,119
% of total
15.4%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
2,119
15.4%
-2.7pp
Islam
2021 count
1,067
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
1,067
7.7%
+1.4pp
Hinduism
2021 count
945
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
945
6.9%
+2.4pp
Buddhism
2021 count
756
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
756
5.5%
+0.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
2021 count
646
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
646
4.7%
-1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
578
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
578
4.2%
-3.0pp
Sikhism
2021 count
504
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
504
3.7%
+2.2pp
Christianity, nfd
2021 count
461
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
461
3.3%
+0.1pp
Uniting Church
2021 count
288
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
288
2.1%
-1.4pp
Chart view
Religion - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
No Religion, so described
+584
+3.0pp
Western Catholic
-290
-2.7pp
Islam
+230
+1.4pp
Hinduism
+349
+2.4pp
Buddhism
+42
+0.1pp
Anglican Church of Australia
-136
-1.2pp
Not stated
-374
-3.0pp
Sikhism
+309
+2.2pp
Christianity, nfd
+33
+0.1pp
Uniting Church
-182
-1.4pp
Data table
Religion for Mawson Lakes. Religion - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Salisbury (C)% | Count | % | Salisbury (C)% | Count | pp | |
| No Religion, so described | 4,970 | 36.0% | 37.4% | 4,386 | 33.0% | 31.4% | +584 | +3.0pp |
| Western Catholic | 2,119 | 15.4% | 15.8% | 2,409 | 18.1% | 19.2% | -290 | -2.7pp |
| Islam | 1,067 | 7.7% | 7.5% | 837 | 6.3% | 4.7% | +230 | +1.4pp |
| Hinduism | 945 | 6.9% | 4.3% | 596 | 4.5% | 3.0% | +349 | +2.4pp |
| Buddhism | 756 | 5.5% | 4.8% | 714 | 5.4% | 4.6% | +42 | +0.1pp |
| Anglican Church of Australia | 646 | 4.7% | 5.6% | 782 | 5.9% | 8.9% | -136 | -1.2pp |
| Not stated | 578 | 4.2% | 5.4% | 952 | 7.2% | 7.4% | -374 | -3.0pp |
| Sikhism | 504 | 3.7% | 2.0% | 195 | 1.5% | 0.8% | +309 | +2.2pp |
| Christianity, nfd | 461 | 3.3% | 3.1% | 428 | 3.2% | 2.9% | +33 | +0.1pp |
| Uniting Church | 288 | 2.1% | 2.9% | 470 | 3.5% | 4.7% | -182 | -1.4pp |
| Total | 13,793 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,305 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +488 | 0.0pp |
Excludes religions with fewer than 10 adherents.